Asian elephants are able to recognize their bodies as obstacles to success in problem-solving, further strengthening evidence of their intelligence and self-awareness, according to a new study from the University of Cambridge.

‘Previous research focused on the actual effect of temperature on the psychological phenomenon known as ‘cognitive control,” says Dr. Shalev. ‘But this is the first time we were able to measure the effects of perceived temperature.’

The brain consists of neurons and glial cells. Recent research uncovers the importance of glial cells; their developmental abnormality causes various diseases and aberrant cerebral cortex development. Herein, C38 gene knocking-out is shown to cause aberrant development of glial cells, especially, those called astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. CD38 gene is known to be involved in the cerebral cortex development. The present study suggests the importance of glial cells for the cerebral cortex development.

A University of British Columbia-developed system that uses bacteria to turn non-potable water into drinking water will be tested next week in West Vancouver prior to being installed in remote communities in Canada and beyond.

Among infants of women who received the Tdap pertussis booster vaccine during pregnancy, the risk of contracting pertussis was reduced by an estimated 91 percent during the first two months of life — the critical period before they can receive their first childhood acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination. The findings from the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center were reported today in the journal Pediatrics.

Insufficient sleep, a common problem that has been linked to chronic disease risk, might also be an unrecognized risk factor for bone loss. Results of a new study will be presented Saturday at the Endocrine Society’s 99th annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.